Is there a need for VR in Nikkor lenses?

So Nikon Nikkor lenses are expensive enough as it is. I was just wondering is there really a need for the vibration reduction? It adds about $60 as a minimum. The more expensive the lens is initially, the more the VR on it will cost.

Yes and no. No on a lot of lenses below 100mm it's a nice to have since with proper technique and todays cameras you can still get a decent shutter speed.

On longer lenses VR does help a lot.

At the end of the day VR sells lenses. Personally I think you're exaggerating a bit. On an 18-55 or a 55-200 the VR version is hardly any more expensive and those are the two main examples that come to mind that you can easily compare.

The longer the lens is, the more VR is needed. Imagine focusing on something a mile away with a 500mm lens. A slight heave of your chest will raise the focus 10 meters up in the air. That's where VR comes into play.

It's really only needed if you don't want to use a tripod and you can't hold a camera steady or if you don't know how to operate your camera to avoid blur because of camera movement.